Construction and materials industries

Could do better

Article Abstract:

The new Sir John Colfox school, Dorset, England, has proved to be very popular with the pupils and staff yet its external design and internal decor in unexciting. The school was the first to be built as a private finance initiative school in the UK. The facilities will be managed by Jarvis Facilities Management for 30 years. The cost to Dorset Council over the 30 years will be 90 million pounds sterling. The school only has to find additional money for textbooks, staff and students. Some 1.75 million pounds sterling has been spent on equipping the school.

Mixed classes

Article Abstract:

The innovative design of the Haut Vallee school, Jersey, was the result of a competition. The building was designed by Architecture PLB and the main contractors in the project were Charles Le Quesne. The secondary school will house 750 pupils. It cost 14.5 million pounds sterling. The design is unusual because it incorporates eight different buildings with seven styles of roofing, including zinc roofs. Subcontractors had to be brought onto the island to work on the roofing. The project was started on Feb 1996 and completed by Aug 1998.

A school of one's own

Article Abstract:

Issues are presented concerning the decision of the multidisciplinary design consultancy, Business Design Partnership, to take over the running of a 500-student school under a PFI contract. The management of the contract is discussed.